Monkeying around in Cahuita National Park...

If you're looking to see wildlife, then the National Park is the place for you! We see (and hear) plenty of monkeys around La Casa del Mango, but both White-faced and Howler monkeys inhabit the white beach area where the park is located. 

We just dodged this fast moving white-faced monkey as he headed towards us and our snacks.  These are the least shy of the monkey species and are very inquisitive. 

The Howler monkeys may sound aggressive, but they like to stay away from people in general.  You'll see them throwing down food (and more) from the trees if they think that you're getting too close....

What monkeying around have you seen here?

Playa Chiquita is located between the town and Playa Negra.  It's a beautiful little bay which is popular with locals who bring their children down to play in the usually gentle waves.

Sunday, February 28th is the date set for Cahuita's grand horse parade!  The whole town will be out to see the horses and their riders, dressed up to the nines for the procession around the streets. 

The parade will begin at 11:00 am (this is Tico time, so maybe by noon ;)) from the center of Cahuita, then head up the sea road towards Playa Negra.  They'll turn up La Union and return towards the center along the main highway and into Cahuita on the paved road.  The end point is Hotel National Park, where Ronnie, the bar manager has more fun organized. 

After the parade has finished and prizes have been awarded, there'll be a live band and a lot of cold Imperials.

Horse parades are a traditional part of Costa Rican culture and a great day out for all.  See you there?

Many visitors to La Casa del Mango really want to see a sloth during their stay in Cahuita.  Well, it really isn't so hard!  This sloth was hanging out on the electricity cables on the main road into town during the day, although they are usually more active and so easier to see at night. 

Places to see sloths in Cahuita:

• the almond tree in front of the police station
• next to Sobre Las Olas restaurant
  
• hanging out on the electricity cables in town
  
• ask the rangers in the National Park when entering to find out where they've spotted sloths that day
  
• in the huge mango tree at La Casa del Mango
  

Now, sloths are not static, although they do move very slowly. However, they're creatures of habit and so tend to be in the same places regularly.  They're also very fond of almond leaves, so keep scanning the almond trees that grow at the side of Black Beach and the trees in the National Park.  You're pprobably going to see them up high as they only come down to the ground to poop every couple of weeks.

If you're not lucky enough to see one in the wild, then take a trip to the Tree of Life to see one of their rescued sloths up close.

Where have you seen a sloth in Cahuita and we'll add your place to our location list?

Where is the place to be this Saturday, February 20th in Cahuita?  The Reggae Bar is the answer.  Cahuita's newest and finest band, Coconut Cross, will be playing live music from 8:00 pm onwards with a combination of classic hits from rock, reggae and other genres to entertain enthusiastic fans.

Founding member and manager, Natalie Chantelle Martin, and her partner, both from Cananda have teamed up with locals Nando (of La Casa del Mango) on drums and Junior on bass to form the group.  Don't miss 'em!

The Coconut Cross performance is followed by music from DJ Mystic at the after party for an unforgettable Saturday night in Cahuita.

Ice-cold Imperial is abundant and Yoconda will be feeding the masses with her tasty barbeque plate -- get there early to avoid disappointment!

The BBC World Service is looking for the perfect country and unsurprisingly, Costa Rica is on its list of nominations.  With its aim to ecome carbon neutral by 2021, its success in running on renewable energy sources in 2015, the abolition of the army in 1948, high life expectancy, universal healthcare and education, and 97% literacy; Costa Rica has a lot going for it!

We're rather biased but think it is the perfect country for us, and that Cahuita is the best of Costa Rica.   Hear more on this link and let us know your opinion:

Cahuita's hot and humid climate is fantastic for plantlife, and many tropical flowers thrive in this environment which is without seasons, other than wet and dry -- no winter frost to damage plants here!  The garden at La Casa del Mango is sheltered from the sea breezes that come off the ocean by the wooden fence, preventing salt or wind harming the plants. 

Orchids are delicate flowers, but ours are tended by green-fingered Don Feliciano, who carefully raises them.  He attaches the orchids by their roots to tree trunks, and encourages them to attach themselves and grow, using the host tree instead of soil. 

These purple flowers are La Guardia Morada and as well as being beautiful, are the national flower of Costa Rica.  You can see why!

What are your favorite Costa Rican flowers?  Do you have photos to share?

Green and black poison dart frogs, or mint posion dart frrogs,  are a common sight in the hotel's tropical garden.  They love the damper, shady area around the steps from the house's Morroccan patio, and the outside dining area with the grill.  They move fast so be ready to snap that shot quickly!

The frogs have suckered toes which allow them to climb but they aren't as agile as their tree frog cousins and spend more time on the ground.  However, to protect their tiny young, they are hatched and guarded in the water collected in bromeliad plants on tree branches.

You'll see them in other parts of Cahuita too -- look out for them in shadows and wet soil.  They are not a species in danger, so they are fairly commonly seen around.

Astonishingly, although it is not the most toxic of the posion arrow frogs, it still contains enough poison to stop a human heart.  This toxicity is only released when the frog feels threatened, so don't touch one!

Have you seen these tiny amphimbians on your strolls through La Casa del Mango garden or in town?

After a few days of rain, the sun is such a welcome sight.  Fortunately, the temperatures stays high and so it is no real hardship.  Black Beach, Cahuita (see photo above) took a pounding but this was a real bonus for surfers, who've been hanging ten throughout the high waves.

We woke to pouring rain this morning and by midday, our guests were poolside on the loungechairs or in the pool.  It's incredible how quickly the weather can change here.  All we need now is for the big waves to pull the debris back into the ocean and take it away!

Here's 8 of our favorite rainy day in Cahuita things to do:

1.  swing in the hammock with a good book
2.  swim -- you're wet anyway right?
3.  get out and animal spot.  Once the rain eases off, the wildlife is way more active than on sunny, snoozy days and the National Park trails are empty
4. have a long and tasty breakfast of pinto or pancakes washed down by Costa Rican coffee at Bridgette's on Black Beach
5.  watch the surfers at the park entrance from the National Park Hotel with a cocktail in hand and reggae music in the background
6. sleep until the rain stops
7. birdwatch from the sundecks
8. treat yourself to a relaxing massage with the raindrops adding to your calm

What are your favorite things to do on a rainy day on the Caribbean Coast?